Upcoming Red Cross Blood Drives In Columbia Area

COLUMBIA, SC — Blood donations typically wane in the warmer months. The Red Cross and other organizations are working hard to shore up the nation's reserves.

Blood donations are also down in part because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Red Cross blood drives follow coronavirus safety protocols including temperature screening, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff.

Here are the Red Cross blood drives coming up in the Columbia area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 5/6/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Midlands Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, 1910 Blanding Street (Columbia)
• 5/7/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/8/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/9/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ft Jackson Main PX, 4110 Moseby St (Columbia)
• 5/10/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/11/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lexington Medical Center Irmo, 7035 St. Andrews Rd. (Columbia)
• 5/11/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Red Cross Community Drive, 2751 Bull St. (Columbia)
• 5/11/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/12/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/13/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 2751 Bull Street (Columbia)
• 5/13/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/13/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street (Columbia)
• 5/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Hampton Court Apartments, 501 Pelham Drive (Columbia)
• 5/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road (Columbia)
• 5/14/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/14/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trenholm Plaza, 4840 Forest Drive (Columbia)
• 5/15/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/16/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/17/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., City of Forest Acres In Memory of Officer Greg Alia, 5209 North Trenholm Road (Columbia)
• 5/18/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/19/2021: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, 1501 Sumter Street (Columbia)
• 5/19/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/20/2021: 9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sandhills Community Church, 3513 Hardscrabble Road (Columbia)
• 5/20/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1931 Sumter Street (Columbia)
• 5/21/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Costco Wholesale, 507 Piney Grove Road (Columbia)
• 5/22/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/23/2021: 6:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., SC Baptist Convention, 190 Stoneridge Dr (Columbia)
• 5/24/2021: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St (Columbia)
• 5/24/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Northeast United Methodist Church, 4000 Hard Scrabble Road (Columbia)

Click here to see more Red Cross blood drives in the Columbia area, or search for others nearby.

Editor's note: This list was automatically generated using data compiled by the American Red Cross. The local blood drives included in the list are limited to those at the time the Red Cross data was pulled. Please visit RedCrossBlood.org for the most current listing of drives. Please report any errors or other feedback to content@patch.com. Know of another blood drive coming up in your area? You can add it to the Patch calendar using this form.

People who have received a coronavirus vaccine can donate blood so long as they are symptom-free, feeling well and can provide the vaccine manufacturer's name, according to the American Red Cross. There is no waiting period after getting a vaccine dose.

All blood types are needed, especially type O, to refuel the country’s blood stockpile for the spring and summer.

In most states, donors need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health; some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Donors 18 years old and younger need to meet certain height and weight requirements.

People who donate blood, platelets or plasma in May through the Red Cross will be automatically entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five from Suburban Propane. Anyone who donates through May 15 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card by email courtesy of Suburban Propane.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. Appointments can be made via the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.